203 replies to this topic

[Norwegian Red Wing]

Im glad, but at the same time pissed off. Half the season gone, no Winter Classic, no AllStar-weekend.. The fans should get free passes to NHL Center Ice  

Btw - what will happen with the WC now? Will it still be Wings Toronto next..? Anyone? 

[Dominator2005]

At least NHL should offer Center Ice for FREE for "whole" season.

[BottleOfSmoke]

 

I was so hoping this was the news I was going to wake up to!!!!!

 

Now I expect free Center Ice and Gamecenter Live packages for everyone, NHL.  You owe us, and most of us are still pissed. 

 

GO WINGS!!

[AFwinger]

Finally

[edicius]

Im glad, but at the same time pissed off. Half the season gone, no Winter Classic, no AllStar-weekend.. The fans should get free passes to NHL Center Ice  

Btw - what will happen with the WC now? Will it still be Wings Toronto next..? Anyone? 

 

Well, Bettman "promised" that it would be Wings/Leafs next season.

 

He also "promised" us a move to the Eastern Conference, so take that for what it's worth. Probably will just end up another Pittsburgh Classic next New Years.

[Rivalred]

I guess welcome back NHL?

[stevkrause]

About time... too bad the damage this did is likely irreversible...

[Hockeymom1960]

I hope to see 1/2 empty arenas for a while.

[Tim.D]

Highlights of the deal so far:
 
 
 

 - The players' share of hockey-related revenue will drop from 57 percent to a 50-50 split for all 10 years.  
- The league coming off their demand for a $60 million cap in Year 2, meeting the NHLPA's request to have it at $64.3 million - which was the upper limit from last year's cap. The salary floor in Year 2 will be $44 million.
- The upper limit on the salary cap in the first year is $60 million, but teams can spend up to $70.2 million (all pro-rated). The cap floor will be $44 million.
- The 10-year deal also has an opt-out clause that kicks in after eight years.
- Each team will be allowed two amnesty buyouts that can be used to terminate contracts after this season and next season. The buyouts will count against the players' overall share in revenues, but not the team's salary cap.
- The salary variance on contracts from year to year cannot vary more than 35 per cent and the final year cannot vary more than 50 per cent of the highest year.
- A player contract term limit for free agents will be seven years and eight years for a team signing its own player.
- The draft lottery selection process will change with all 14 teams fully eligible for the first overall pick. The weighting system for each team may remain, but four-spot move restriction will be eliminated.
- Supplemental discipline for players in on-ice incidents will go through NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan first, followed by an appeal process that would go through Bettman. For suspensions of six or more games, a neutral third party will decide if necessary.
- Revenue sharing among teams will spread to $200 million. Additionally, an NHLPA-initiated growth fund of $60 million is included.
- Teams can only walk away from a player in salary arbitration if the award is at least $3.5 million.
- The NHL had hoped to change opening of free agency to July 10, but the players stood firm and it remains July 1 in the new agreement. But with a later ending to the season, free agency for this summer will start at a later date.

[Foog00]

Finally, I had given up.

[AFwinger]

Finally, but have to think the damage is done. Can't wait to watch me some Wings.

[Jersey Wing]

Granted, I don't live in Detroit and would gladly forgive the Wings whom I do not blame for the lockout (I blame the proper 8-9 owners Bettman fights so hard for and Mr I ain't one of them). Vanderbeek in NJ however where I see games is another matter. No games for me this year, not supporting the Devils with a ticket another day. I may go to the Rangers but I have issues with games there too (too cramped, too dark, and people wander around far too much during the game). So no NHL for me this year, no more Devils ever. I'll watch Wings games on TV but that is going to be my great "contribution" to this upcoming abortion of a season.

 

Thanks NHL!

[13dangledangle]

Bittersweet, just stoked about seeing our boys back on the ice.

[hillbillywingsfan]

HOLD ME!

[BottleOfSmoke]

HOLD ME!

 

[Shaman464]

So what is the realistic cap situation for NHL teams? Should the Wings be expecting any bargains to hit the market?

[Electrophile]

The lockout's over?  I'm honestly having a hard time getting excited about it.  I hope the Wings do well, because well.....that's the point, but my enthusiasm is almost completely non-existent.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing)]

No Winter Classic is indeed a bummer. Remember what happened last time there was a half season folks?

[edicius]

At least NHL should offer Center Ice for FREE for "whole" season.

 

Minus NHL Network and NBC Sports of course. And they'll still charge full price for Gamecenter Live.

 

I don't even have cable anymore anyway.

 

Meh.

No Winter Classic is indeed a bummer. Remember what happened last time there was a half season folks?

 

A substandard team won the Cup?

 

Can't wait to see Pittsburgh in the Finals again. Yay.

 

(Can you tell I'm still apathetic and annoyed?)

[Electrophile]

Totally off-topic, but I love your signature, Kevin.  Even if the league did offer people free Center Ice, I don't have cable in my room (don't even have a TV, more to the point), and the only TV in the house that does have a digital cable hook-up is for family use, so I can't commandeer it to watch hockey. 

 

That said, if I DID have cable TV.....they'd have to offer it to me for free because there's no way in hell I'm giving the NHL a dime of my money.